Another 10 premiership flags were handed out over the weekend with big crowds in attendance at grounds across the state despite a mixed bag of weather for players and spectators.
Among the winners lists there were 3 clubs who can now claim the title of premier and champions after going through both the home and away seasons as well as the finals undefeated.
Marong FNC continued on holding the longest current winning streak in senior Victorian country football, extending it to 33 after their 8.16 64 to 6.12 48 win over Pyramid Hill FNC, who were trying to claim their first flag since 1950. The win also gave Marong back-to-back flags after their 2022 victory.
Across in the Horsham and District FNL, Harrow Balmoral FNC celebrated their undefeated season despite only kicking 1 point in the final quarter of their premiership win against Jeparit Rainbow FNC, managing to win by 20 points, 11.3 69 to 7.7 49.
The final member of the premiers and champions club crowned this weekend were the Traralgon Tyers United FNC in the North GIppsland FNL. In a dour struggle, TTU fought back from a 10-point half-time deficit to overcome Woodside FNC 4.14 38 to 2.8 20. The win was the Bombers' first flag since 2004 and alongside Mornington FNC, who won the MPNFNL Div 2 Grand Final, both clubs have now broken their 19-year premiership drought, which were the longest premiership droughts broken over the weekend.
Unfortunately for the Merrivale FNC in the Warrnambool and District FNL, their undefeated home and away season now counts for zero after losing not only the Second Semi Final but also this weekend's Grand Final to Nirranda FNC by 21 points, 9.8 62 to 6.5 41. This gives Nirranda back-to-back flags, alongside Waaia FNC in the Picola and District FNL and Irymple FNC in the Sunraysia FNL who also backed up from their 2022 premierships with Grand Final wins on the weekend.
Other premiership winners this weekend were Torquay FNC in the Bellarine FNL, Tatyoon FNC in the Mininera & District FNL and Coleraine FNC in the South West District FNL, with former Richmond FC big man Tyrone Vickery continuing on with his goal kicking form from last week's Preliminary Final win, kicking 5 goals in his side's 28-point victory over Cavendish FNC.
This upcoming weekend sees a ‘Super Saturday’ of Grand Finals with 15 premierships on offer and a further 3 on Sunday. (Club’s last flag in brackets).
Central Highlands FNL | 1 v 2 | Springbank FNC (2016) V Gordon FNC (2022)
Colac & District FNL | Alvie FNC (2000) V Colac Imperials FNC (1995)
Ellinbank & District FNL | 1 v 4 | Buln Buln FNC (2014) V Neerim South FNC (2022)
Geelong & District FNL | 1 v 3 | Thomson FNC (2018) V Inverleigh FNC (1992)
Golden Rivers FNL | 1 v 3 | Ultima FNC (2015) V Hay FNC (1995)
Heathcote & District FNL | 1 v 4 | Heathcote FNC (2010) V Mt Pleasant FNC (2006)
Kyabram & District FNL | 1 v 2 | Nagambie FNC (2019) V Lancaster FNC (2022)
Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL | 1 v 2 | Harcourt FNC (2022) V Carisbrook FNC (2018)
Mid Gippsland FNL | 1 v 2 | Newborough FNC (2016) V Fish Creek FNC (2018)
Murray FNL | 1 v 2 | Mulwala FNC (2022) V Congupna FNC (1993)
North Central FNL | 1 v 4 | Sea Lake-Nandaly FNC (2019) V Nullawil FNC (2022 - in Golden Rivers FNL)
Ovens & King FNL | 1 v 3 | Bonnie Doon FNC (2009) V Bright FNC (2004)
Tallangatta & District FNL | 1 v 4 | Kiewa-Sandy Creek FNC (2018) V Chiltern FNC (2022)
West Gippsland FNL | 1 v 2 | Inverloch-Kongwak FNC (2017) V Phillip Island FNC (2019)
Wimmera FNL | 1 v 3 | Ararat FNC (2001) V Southern Mallee Giants FNC (2017)
Sundays Grand Finals are:
Mornington Peninsula Nepean FNL - Div 1 | 1 v 2 | Dromana FNC (2019) V Frankston YCW FNC (2022)
Outer East FNL - Div 1 | 1 v 2 | Emerald FNC (2015) V Berwick Springs FNC (No flags since inception in 2021)
Riddell & District FNL | 1 v 3 | Diggers Rest FNC (2018) V Woodend Hesket FNC (2007)
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Image from the Portland Observer.